Animal feeder

ABSTRACT

The feeder comprises a holder for food or water receptacles, in which the receptacles are of the disposable type. The holder is a pre-formed unit of plastic or similar construction having a conical recess for replaceably receiving a conical-shape receptacle, and has a locating key, of a dowel form, extending therefrom for the engagement thereof by an apertured handle which projects from one side of the disposable receptacle. The receptacle holder is hollow and has a filler plug threadedly fixed in a wall thereof to facilitate a weighting of the holder by the introduction of water, sand, and the like, and to effect a sealing of the water or sand weighting vehicle. A plurality of holders can be fixed together, in juxtaposition, by the means of bosses formed in a wall surface thereof, the bosses being configured to receive pin retainers which project from a decorative backboard.

[ 7 Dec. 4, 1973 ANIMAL FEEDER Robert L. Post, Sr., 3579 Rt. No. 46,Apt. 24A, Parsippany, NJ. 07054 [22] Filed: May 26, 1972 [21] Appl. No.:257,361

[76] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 119/51.5, 119/61 [51] Int. Cl A0lk 5/00 [58] Field ofSearch 119/51.5, 61, 72, 119/74; 220/63, 65; 229/15 H [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 730,082 6/1903 Bates 220/65 2,887,705 5/1959 Serwer.' 220/65 X 3,076,435 2/1963 Seymour.. 119/61 X 2,555,3966/1951 Cosner 119/5l.5

3,527,192 9/1970 Ferrara 119/61 2,029,429 2/1936 Koons 229/ 1.5 H2,427,697 9/ 1947 Weidler 229/ 1.5 H 3,698,594 10/1972 Boehlert.. 119/61X 3,152,576 10/1964 Faurot 119/51.5 X 3,498,268 4 3/1970 Sleith et al...119/61 3 ,65 3,362 4/1972 Davis 119/61 Primary ExaminerLouis G. ManceneAssistant ExaminerJ. N. Eskovitz Attorney-Hemard J. Murphy [5 7]ABSTRACT The feeder comprises a holder for food or water receptacles, inwhich the receptacles are of the disposable type. The holder is apre-formed unit of plastic or similar construction having a conicalrecess for replaceably receiving a conical-shape receptacle, and has alocating key, of a dowel form, extending therefrom for the engagementthereof by an apertured hanproject from a decorative backboard.

5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures KAFE ANIMAL FEEDER I This invention pertainsto animal feeders, andin. particular to an animal feeder which comprisesareceptacle holder and receptacles of the disposable type.

Disposable types of receptacles are known from the prior art, yettypically they are not used as animal feeders, and they own twodisadvantages. For one, such receptacles, into which animal food orwater would be placed, has no handle for gripping thereof by the animalskeeper. Now, animal food, however nutritious for the animal, commonly isgreasy and odorous. The animals keeper, after the animal has partaken ofits meal, has to dispose of the receptacle and, in the process, almostnecessarily has to place a thumb or index finger into the receptacle sothat he might grasp it and carry it off for disposal. This ministrationis distasteful. Of course, it is not unknown to feed an animal by usinga handled utensil. However, on placing a handled utensil, a pot or thelike, on the ground for an animals feeding therefrom, the utensil movesacross the ground away from the animal as it tries to feed. Also, theutensil, the pot or whatever, can tip over and spill the contents.

Disposable, or throw-away types of receptacles are not uncommon, andholders for such are known. Yet, the combinations available on themarket, or taught by prior art, comprise pre-formed, recessed containerswhich nest in recessed holders. These, however, provide no container orreceptacle handle, by means of which the animals keeper might grasp thereceptacle without soiling his fingers. Further, the receptacles arefree to gyrate within the recessed holders to the frustration of theanimal.

It is an object of this invention to-set forth an improved animal feederwhich owns none of the disadvantages of .the prior art types.Specifically, it is an object of this invention to teach an animalfeeder comprising first means for holding animal feed, water, and thelike; second means for replaceably receiving said first means; whereinsaid first means comprises at least one recessed receptacle; said secondmeans comprises at least one holder for a recessed receptacle; one ofsaid first and second means has a key-type element extend ing therefrom;and the other of said first and second means has a key-way formedtherein for engagement thereof with said key-type element forrestraining said first and second means against relative rotary movementthereb etween.

A feature of this invention comprises the setting forth of aconical-shape feed and water receptacle, of the disposable type, whichhas a handle forward thereon and which extends therefrom, said handlehaving an aperture therethrough, and a conically recessed holder forsaid receptacle, said holder having a keying dowel extending therefromwith which the handle aperture isreplaceably engageable to inhibitrelative rotary movement between said holder and said receptacle.

7 Further objects and features of this invention will become moreapparent by reference to the following description, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying figures, in which: 4

FIG. 1 is a top or plan view of an embodiment of the novelanimal feeder,according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial, vertical cross-sectional view of the feeder of FIG.1 taken along section 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the feeder;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view, takenalong section 44 of FIG.3, showing the filler plug detail;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, taken along section 5-5 of FIG.1, depicting the attachment of the backboard to one of the receptacleholders;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, taken along section 66 of FIG.1, depicting, in cross-section, the detail of the keyong post and thehandle aperture of the receptacle;

FIG. 7 is a partial view, plan view, of an alternate embodiment of thenovel animal feeder illustrative of an alternate arrangement for thekeying post and handle aperture; and

FIG. 8 isa fragmentary view, corresponding to FIG. 2, of an alternateembodiment of the novel feeder.

As shown in FIG. 1, the novel animal feeder 10 comprises a holder 12havinga recessed receptacle 14 replaceably disposed therein. FIGS. 2 and6, in more detail, illustrate the nested disposition of the receptacle14 within a recess 16 provided in the holder 12. The recess 16 and thereceptacle 14 are formed as truncated cones, however this is arbitrary.

The receptacle 14 has a flat bottom 18 to facilitate its being placed ona flatsurface during the preparation of the animals meal therewithin,andhas an extending handle 20 formed thereon. Handle 20 further has anaperture 22 formed therein for keying engagement thereof with anextending post or dowel 24 which is integral with and rises from asurface of the'holder l2.

The handle accommodates a facile handling of the re- 'ceptacle l4, andthe cooperation of the aperture 22 and dowel 24 frustate or inhibit adisplacement of the receptacle 14 from its located disposition in theholder 12.

For illustrative purposes, the holder 12 is shown to be made of plasticmaterial; other materials, however, may be equally suitable. The holderis hollow, having an annular chamber 26 formed therein. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, a threaded plug 28 is provisioned in a wall of theholder, closing an aperture thereat through which' weighting materiali.e., sand, water, and'the like 4 can be introduced. It is contemplatedthat the holder 12 will be merchandised without the weighting material,and the purchaser/user will use the. plug 28 to charge the holder withthe desired weighting material.

As shown in FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment comprises a pair of integralholders l2 one to receive a feed receptacle l4, and one to receive adrinking water receptacle 16. In this arrangement, a backboard 30 isprovided. The backboard is decorative, and intended, here, to render theanimal feeder more attractive.

In FIG. 3 in phantom outline, and in FIG. 5 in enlarged detail, is shownthe arrangement by means of which the backboard 30 and the holders 12are replaceably secured together. Within a rear wall of each holder 12are formed at least one pair of bosses 32. The bosses have bulbousrecesses 34 formed therein for receiving a bulbous-ended pin 36 which isfixed, extendably, to the backboard 30. Very simply, the pins 36 aresnapped into the recesses 34 to secure the backboard, at either endsthereof, to the holders 12. Preferrably, the pins are of metalconstruction and, dependingupon the material used in forming the holders12, the recesses 34' can have hollow metal inserts fixed therewithin toprevent deterioration of the material of l the bosses.

A rubber or like non-skid mat 38 is cemented in place on the bottom ofthe holders 12 to insure against the sliding thereof along a floor orsimilar feeding surface.

As it may be more convenient for the animals keeper, an alternateembodiment of the invention contemplates the arrangement of the dowel 24to an outer side of the holder 12. This is a matter of choice; it may bedeemed preferrable to have the dowel 24 toward the rear, as shown in thefirst embodiment, where it will be less obstructive for the animal. Theinvention, of course, comprises either of these arrangements.

So also, my teaching extends to variations of the basic embodiments,which will occur to those skilled in the art to which the inventionpertains, others benefiting from my disclosure.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the holders could be separatedholders 12 to which separate mats 38 and 38" are cemented, in order thatindividual holders 12' and receptacles 14 might be merchandisedinitially, or as replacement units. In such an arrangement, then, thebackboard 30 would serve a further purpose: that of securing the'pair ofseparable holders 12 together in juxtaposition.

Of course, the pin 36 could be formed of, or could project from theholder 12 (or 12') to be received in a clasping recess in the backboard30. Also, a keying element such as dowel 24 could be formed on thereceptacle l4 and be locatingly receivable in an apertured or recessedboss formed in an upper wall of the holder 12 (or 12). The weightingmaterial i.e., the water shown in one of the holders 12, and the sandshown in the other of the holders l2 could be supplanted with othermaterial, or it could be irreplaceably sealed within the holders.

Accordingly, while I have described my invention in connection withspecific embodiments thereof, it is to be clearly understood that thisis done only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope ofmy invention as set forth in the objects thereof and in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. An animal feeder, comprising:

first means for'holding animal feed, water, and the like; and

second means for replaceably receiving said first means; wherein saidfirst means comprises at least one recessed receptacle;

said second means comprises at least one recessed holder for a recessedreceptacle;

one of said first and second means has a key-type element extendingtherefrom; and

the other of said first and second means has a keyway-type structureformed therein for engagement thereof with said key-type element forrestraining said first and second means against relative movementtherebetween; wherein V i said one recessed receptaclehas a handleformed thereon to facilitate manipulation of said receptacle;

said handle has an aperture formed therethrough, de-

fining said keyway-type structure;

said holder has a dowel-like element extending from a surface thereof,defining said key-type element, for receiving said aperture, upon saidreceptacle being disposed in said recessed holder;

said holder has spaced-apart walls about the periphery thereof whichdefine a closed chamber therewithin; and

one of said walls has an aperture formed therein, and a plug replaceablysecured in said wall aperture, to facilitate the charging of saidchamber with weighting material.

2. An animal feeder, according to claim 1, wherein:

said holder further has a pad fixed to an undersurface thereof, said padbeing of non-skid material.

3. An animal feeder, according to claim 2, wherein:

said first means comprises a plurality of recessed receptacles;

said second means comprises a plurality of recessed holders for recessedreceptacles; and further including means cooperative with said secondmeans for securing said plurality of recessed holders together injuxtaposition.

4. An animal feeder, according to claim 3, wherein:

said securing means comprises a backboard;

said backboard and said holders of said plurality thereof have meansreplaceably and mutually engageable for securing said backboard and saidholders together.

5. An animal feeder, according to claim 3, wherein:

said securing means comprises a backboard;

said backboard has pin means secured to and extending therefrom; and

said holders of said plurality thereof each have socket-type recessesformed therein for replaceably receiving said pin means for arrestingsaid backboard to said holders.

1. An animal feeder, comprising: first means for holding animal feed,water, and the like; and second means for replaceably receiving saidfirst means; wherein said first means comprises at least one recessedreceptacle; said second means comprises at least one recessed holder fora recessed receptacle; one of said first and second means has a key-typeelement extending therefrom; and the other of said first and secondmeans has a keyway-type structure formed therein for engagement thereofwith said keytype element for restraining said first and second meansagainst relative movement therebetween; wherein said one recessedreceptacle has a handle formed thereon to facilitate manipulation ofsaid receptacle; said handle has an aperture formed therethrough,defining said keyway-type structure; said holder has a dowel-likeelement extending from a surface thereof, defining said key-typeelement, for receiving said aperture, upon said receptacle beingdisposed in said recessed holder; said holder has spaced-apart wallsabout the periphery thereof which define a closed chamber therewithin;and one of said walls has an aperture formed therein, and a plugreplaceably secured in said wall aperture, to facilitate the charging ofsaid chamber with weighting material.
 2. An animal feeder, according toclaim 1, wherein: said holder further has a pad fixed to an undersurfacethEreof, said pad being of non-skid material.
 3. An animal feeder,according to claim 2, wherein: said first means comprises a plurality ofrecessed receptacles; said second means comprises a plurality ofrecessed holders for recessed receptacles; and further including meanscooperative with said second means for securing said plurality ofrecessed holders together in juxtaposition.
 4. An animal feeder,according to claim 3, wherein: said securing means comprises abackboard; said backboard and said holders of said plurality thereofhave means replaceably and mutually engageable for securing saidbackboard and said holders together.
 5. An animal feeder, according toclaim 3, wherein: said securing means comprises a backboard; saidbackboard has pin means secured to and extending therefrom; and saidholders of said plurality thereof each have socket-type recesses formedtherein for replaceably receiving said pin means for arresting saidbackboard to said holders.